Hail history for Putnam County, IL

Putnam County has 64 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 36 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on June 10, 2015.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month June

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 64 since 1972

1″ or larger 36 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · June 10, 2015

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Putnam County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Putnam County's peak: June.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 64 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
March 10, 2026	1.0″	Quarter
August 20, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 11, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
June 22, 2020	1.25″	Half dollar
June 3, 2020	0.75″	Penny
June 14, 2017	0.75″	Penny
February 28, 2017	1.25″	Half dollar
February 28, 2017	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Putnam County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

August 20, 2022 · 1.0″ (quarter)

A trained spotter reports estimated penny to quarter size hail.

June 10, 2015 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Through social media, there was a public reported golf ball size hail.

June 10, 2015 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail was reported through social media.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	2	0	2	29	26	5

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Putnam County

Has it ever hailed in Putnam County?

Yes — 64 hail events have been recorded for Putnam County, IL in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1972, including 36 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Putnam County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Putnam County, IL is March 10, 2026, with 1.0″ (quarter) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Putnam County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on June 10, 2015. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Illinois hail history

All 102 Illinois counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.